Hands On Conference 2025

Hosted by Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Hands On Conference 2025 invites museum professionals, educators, and cultural leaders from across the globe to gather for a three-day conference focused on reimagining the role of children’s museums in an ever-changing world.

Hands On Conference 2025 will take place 25 – 28 November, in Liverpool and spotlight the responsibilities and opportunities children’s museums hold in supporting the next generation. How can these institutions champion wellbeing, spark joy in learning, and foster resilience in young people facing an increasingly complex world?

Hands On Conference 2025 will dive into a broad spectrum of themes, with the central focus being on ‘Making a Difference’. Participants will be encouraged to share their perspectives, reflect on the sector, and challenge themselves to explore the impact their institutions are having through the eyes of the children and families who visit.

Agenda

Pre-conference social: Ahead of the event, there will be a pre-conference social at the iconic Cavern Club, giving attendees the opportunity to network and meet up with colleagues new and old.

Day One: The first day will be hosted at St. Georges Hall, where delegates will particate in keynote sessions, hands on workshops, themed discussions. The day will finish off with the Children in Museums Award ceremony in the concert hall.

Day Two: Day Two will be hosted across two venues, with the morning being held at the Museum of Liverpool with a range of plenary and break out sessions. In the afternoon, attendees will have the chance to immersive themselves at Eureka! Science + Discovery with sessions being held around the galleries.

Day Three: Rounding off the conference, attendees will be invited take part in a variety of study tours across Liverpool.

These include:

• Shakespeare North Playhouse 1.00 pm – 3:00 pm: Attendees can explore the venue, including its replica Jacobean theatre, and hear from Evonne Bixter, head of engagement, on the role of the arts in regeneration and placemaking. (£10 incl. transport)
• The Bluecoat 10.00 am -12:00 am: Join Bryan Biggs, director of cultural legacies, and Laura Yates, head of participation, for a tour of Liverpool’s oldest building and a discussion on its complex heritage and inclusive engagement projects. (Free)
• The Reader at Calderstones Park 1.00 pm – 3:00 pm: The Reader is the UK’s biggest Shared Reading charity. Attendees can explore the Storybarn and Mansion House, and learn how the institution’s shared reading model is being adapted at venues across the UK. (£10 incl. transport)
• Eureka! The National Children’s Museum 10.30 am – 3:00 pm: Attendees can visit the museum to learn how immersive, hands-on learning inspires children and families. (Price TBC, approx. 1hr 45min travel each way)